EU imposes provisional tariffs on Chinese solar imports

2013-06-12Photovoltaic glass

The European Commission will impose a tariff of about 12% on the import of solar panels, cells and wafers imported into Europe from China. China, the world's largest producer of solar panels, is blamed by the EU of dumping them, or selling at improperly low prices, and hurting European competitors.

European officials have decided to impose provisional anti-dumping tariffs on solar modules imported from China

European officials have decided to impose provisional anti-dumping tariffs on solar modules, wafers and cells imported into Europe from China, in a move that could unleash a trade war between two of the world's largest economies.The decision came despite German opposition to the course of action, as Germany is considered by far China's biggest trading partner in the EU. The European Commission will impose a tariff of about 12% on the import of solar panels, cells and wafers, to increase to an average of 47% in August unless an agreement is reached with China in the next 60 days. China, the world's largest producer of solar panels, is blamed by the EU of dumping them, or selling at improperly low prices, and hurting European competitors. Chinese exports of solar panels to Europe amounted EUR 21 billion in 2011.